Calabash Academy

Register now for our Fall 2024 "How We Did It" Webinar Series

All Webinars will begin at 6:00pm EST
September 26 : Food Safety Outreach Program (FSOP)
October 15 : Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP)
October 29: MDA Healthy Soils Competitive Fund
November 12: Urban Agriculture and Innovative PRoduction Grant (UAIP)

Applications for the Pilot Cohort of our TA Academy are now closed.

The program will be offered again in 2025!

Program Details

Information Flyer

What is The Calabash Academy?

The Calabash Academy provides training for individuals looking to support the growth of Black and Brown farmers and growers around the world. Through the academy's training programs and webinars, we are building a network of technical assistance (TA) consultants that can help Black and Brown growers seek fiscal sponsorship, new markets, achieve financial sustainability, break down the bureaucratic barriers of institutionalized racism, and ultimately feed their communities.

Why the Academy Matters

The barriers of institutionalized racism and discriminatory policies are especially ingrained into the policies of the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA). These policies have limited access to federal and non-federal resources and funding for Black, Brown, and Indigenous growers, affecting our collective capacity to cultivate thriving local food systems and food sovereignty. To break down these barriers, more culturally competent TA providers are needed to support Black farmers & food producers.

Info Session Audio Recording

Info Session Chat Transcript

Calabash TA Academy Pilot

The Calabash TA Academy Pilot is a 12-week accelerated training program cohort designed to orient & prepare a network of skilled technical assistance (TA) consultants to support the food/land sovereignty efforts of Black and Brown farmers + food folks.

Note: Calabash 101 completion is a program pre-requisite

We will be using a hybrid model learning experience with recorded lessons, office hours, live instruction, independent and collaborative assignments, discussion boards, an in-person convening, and transferrable knowledge and skills.

TA trainees will learn to provide administrative support in navigating client consultation, grant searching and scanning, and completing farmer registration for farmers, while also engaging in a collaborative and flexible environment to engage and learn with fellow cohort members.

This program is absolutely for you if:

You have lived experience belonging to the Black Diaspora, have strong ties to the Black Diaspora, or identify as indigenous or as a person of color
You are dedicated to supporting Black and Brown farmers and sustaining holistic local food systems and pathways to food and land sovereignty
You have an interest in gaining technical assistance skills ranging from farm government registration, grant matching, and storytelling
You have an interest in developing relationships with cooperative farmers
You are familiar with or willing to learn about USDA policies, programs and services
You want to be a part of a growing Black-led agricultural community to share resources and skills
You are an aspiring TA consultant (not required)

To be considered for the program pilot you must:

Attend Calabash 101 as a prerequisite* (recorded sessions will be provided)
Be able to attend at least 7 out of 9 active training sessions within the program (this is to ensure cohesiveness amongst the program and a shared learning environment)
Dedicate a maximum of 6 hours a week (this includes instructional and practical learning and any additional office hours needed)
Be willing to work and learn with others in a co-collaborative space